Love my Newport Pro, but want a Monaco SuperPro!

[friendofjaco]

Good morning Hamer fans,

I'm new to the board so be nice please. I have a Newport Pro that I absolutely love. I'm really interested in a Monaco SuperPro after reading everything I can on it and hearing the video's by that Mr. Zucker guy. Holy Cow!

My situation, as usual requires that I have to sell a guitar in order to get a different guitar. I have always promised myself that I'd only sell my USA Hamer for another USA Hamer. Is a Newport-Monaco swap close to equal or is the Monaco worth more when both instruments are used? I'm still in the "just thinking about it" stage but let's just say I'm having trouble falling asleep at night thinking about those Monaco's!!! Thanks

[cmatthes]

The Superpro was the one Hamer guitar I really tried to hate. Once I played it, my perceptions totally changed.

I'd think that based on what I've seen in recent sales, that should be a fairly even swap in a trade deal. Since the Newport came out a couple of years earlier, you may find a few more of them on the street, but I don't think there's much, if any, price differential on the used market.

[GaryT]

Hard not to like that Hamer. Beautiful guitar thats extrememly well thought out. I want a Monaco III done Black/White Tuxedo Dreaming of that Baby. Or a Blue Quilt maple-top?

Tough to give up a Newport though. With me its anything but that. But I hear you.

[friendofjaco]

Thanks for the replies. Was wondering if anyone owns both models and which guitar gets most of the love?

Would you be comfortable playing a superpro on a jazz gig? I've used my Newport on jazz gigs and it is very expressive and even gets that sometime hollow body woodie tone that I get with my Ibanez full hollow body.

[friendofjaco]

A few weeks ago I was hangin' in a local music store and they got a guitar in that they wanted me to try. It was a PRS McCarty (Korina) and I must say it was really special. The playability was great and the tone was better than any PRS I've ever heard. I got real excited about it and was even thinking about selling my Newport to be able to swing it... I came home and played my hamer for a couple of hours and came to my senses.

But even so I'm restless. And the Monaco has really sparked my interest. Anything of note you can tell me about the pros and cons of the SuperPro and compare and contrast to the Newport w/seth lovers would be much appreciated.

[elduave]

I want a Monaco III done Black/White Tuxedo Dreaming of that Baby. Or a Blue Quilt maple-top?

Sounds like you want my former or current guitars!

Thanks for the replies. Was wondering if anyone owns both models and which guitar gets most of the love?

Would you be comfortable playing a superpro on a jazz gig? I've used my Newport on jazz gigs and it is very expressive and even gets that sometime hollow body woodie tone that I get with my Ibanez full hollow body.

I haven't owned a Newport but I am a SP player and played in the Jazz Ensemble in school, so if that qualifies, I'd say SP + Jazz gig = OK. In fact, SP + any gig = Victory (nyuk nyuk).

Anything of note you can tell me about the pros and cons of the SuperPro and compare and contrast to the Newport w/seth lovers would be much appreciated.

Cons:

The look doesn't appeal to all

Pros:

Everything else

It's just about my perfect guitar. Where I able to afford another one, I already have the "look" picked out, and the only structural change I'd have done is blended heal ala PesoPro:

[GaryT]

Hard NOT to like that SP. But I have a feeling the M-III is gonna be more to "my" liking.

Dave, that Quilt Blue is a KILLER axe though. I could see where you would order "want" a blended heel.

I can't tell you how much the Victory Inlays have grown on me. I actually was skeptcal about them at first and avoided them. Now...I think they are cats Butt and prefer them to EVERYTHING.

Thats my case in point right there. Our thinking changes as we change. And as we change out likes and dislikes in guitars change.

I FULLY understand your SP/Newport dilemma. I have been around this Circle a FEW times now. And every time I go the LP-Style electric I GAS for and miss the Semi's and Hollows. But at this time and age? I also know me pretty well now. And while many prefer the SP? I seriously dig the Newports. I just lean more in that direction.

But I don't play a Spuce Top Newport? Which has me thinking Monaco III also.

Dave as you can see, I'm still indecisive about the guitar? Not Good.

SETHs are a love/hate thing. many feel they are gonna like a early PAF Tone till they get their. Then they realize they don't particularly care for it. Many will tell you .....they Suck? Thats simply not True. Better to say its not your style or to your liking. Some still prefer the later 59 version of the PAF with Alnico V magnets. BUT the Seths in a Maple Body Semi/Hollow? They are like DOPE to me. Very addictive. IMO the Seths sound BEST with a BRIGHT bodied electric. I've played and owned them in Mahogany/Maple Artists and thought they were OK in that situation. I've owned them in Spruce Top Newports and prefer Alnico V magnets their. Personal Choice's my friend.

[friendofjaco]

I know I've been kind of all over the map with my indecisiveness but I just had another thought. I have never had a chance to play a Newport with phat cats or any axe with phat cats for that matter. I'm thinking I should throw a pair in mine and see what I think before I do anything too crazy. The seth buckers are great but I've heard some people say the spruce just sings with the P 90 Cats. Any opinions?

[GaryT]

I know I've been kind of all over the map with my indecisiveness but I just had another thought. I have never had a chance to play a Newport with phat cats or any axe with phat cats for that matter. I'm thinking I should throw a pair in mine and see what I think before I do anything too crazy. The seth buckers are great but I've heard some people say the spruce just sings with the P 90 Cats. Any opinions?

For Spruse top Newport Pros the Phat Cat are a KILLER pick-up

[friendofjaco]

I know I've been kind of all over the map with my indecisiveness but I just had another thought. I have never had a chance to play a Newport with phat cats or any axe with phat cats for that matter. I'm thinking I should throw a pair in mine and see what I think before I do anything too crazy. The seth buckers are great but I've heard some people say the spruce just sings with the P 90 Cats. Any opinions?

For Spruse top Newport Pros the Phat Cat are a KILLER pick-up

I am going to look for a pair. I'd like to try the harmonic design Z-90's but a little pricey for me right now. Plus the Phat Cat's are voiced for the Newport I guess, so that's a good place to start

[bubs_42]

If it wasn't for the Zandard, I'd still have mine. Just a fantastic guitar and can do it all.

[Hgb5000]

I was told that the Spruce top Superpro that I bought earlier this year from a fellow HFC'er was the same one Jack plays in his SheetsofSound demo's on youtube. It certainly looks exactly the same and I absolutely love it. Wish I could play as cool as he does on some of those clips.

[friendofjaco]

I was told that the Spruce top Superpro that I bought earlier this year from a fellow HFC'er was the same one Jack plays in his SheetsofSound demo's on youtube. It certainly looks exactly the same and I absolutely love it. Wish I could play as cool as he does on some of those clips.

The clean playing he does at the beginning of the superpro demo reminded me a little bit of the great Pat Martino. I was wondering if those were the Duncan customs in that Monaco because they were uncovered in the video??? Great playing though!

[Hgb5000]

I was told that the Spruce top Superpro that I bought earlier this year from a fellow HFC'er was the same one Jack plays in his SheetsofSound demo's on youtube. It certainly looks exactly the same and I absolutely love it. Wish I could play as cool as he does on some of those clips.

The clean playing he does at the beginning of the superpro demo reminded me a little bit of the great Pat Martino. I was wondering if those were the Duncan customs in that Monaco because they were uncovered in the video??? Great playing though!

When I bought it the pickups were (and still are) WCR Godwood/Goodwood. I think they were installed by another HFC'er who may have sold it to Jack. I think Jack played it through a variety of amps in the videos. I like his Jetter GSR videos.

[GaryT]

The stck SDs are certainly a Solid chose. From this pint it a matter of personal preference.

Good Luck with yor sound auest.

[MCChris]

The stck SDs are certainly a Solid chose. From this pint it a matter of personal preference.

Good Luck with yor sound auest.

Damn dude, you type worse than Ervin!

Jol & co. got it so right with the Custom/Custom Custom combo in the Superpro. Just perfect for that guitar. The neck pickup is sweet as hell, and not even the worst soundman on earth could bury the bridge pickup in a mix.